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F 587 




BEFORE THE 





Id Settler's Blub 



— OF 




Milwaukee County 

January 6th, 1873 



BY 

JUDGE A. G. MILLER 

PRESIDENT. 



PCBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CLUB. 



MILWAUKEE: 

EXTERPRISE I'.OOK AND JOB PRINTING HOUSE; SOUTH SIDE. 



Copy 1 ANNUAL ADDRESS 



M. 



A ^ 



ANNUAL ADDRESS 



UTOBB TSa 




lid Settlers' filub 



Milwaukee County 

January 6th, 1873, 

BY 

JUDGE A. G.'MILLER, 

PRE&WENT. 



-1 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OP THB CLUB. 



) 



MILWAUKEE : 

B5fTfBUPKISI Boot AND JOB PRINTING nOUSB, SOUTH S<I>S 

1973. 



ADDRESS. 

Men who voluntarily left the comforts and associatons of th«ir 
native homes, to make new homes and lay a foundation for a 
new government \.\\ the far west were public benefactors. They 
were courageous and self-sacrificing men, worthy the respect 
and homage of those, who enjoy tho rich results of their enter- 
prise and labors. 

The old soldier loves to talk about his captain, his colonel, 
his regiment, and the battles he fought. The old setder is happy 
in the evening of his days, in tellmg of his journey westward, of 
his claim and purchase of government land, of his first log 
cabin, of his first garden patch, of his first yoke of oxen, of his 
first crop of wheat, of his first neighbor, of his wife and little 
ones, and of their ultimate prosperity. Men advanced in age and 
of experience happily speak of the times that tried their energy 
and courage, as lessons of encouragement to their sucessors in 
business. With such feelings and emotions, the old settler's 
club of Milwaukee county was organized, "for the purpose of re- 
viving old acquaintances and of renewing the ties of former 
years. " 

Incidents connected wi'h pioneer life are interesting to the 
actors in the "olden time," and should be equally so to their 
posterity. Old settlers cherish in their memories many inte- 
resting circumstances connected witii the improvement of this 
country, which they love to unfold to each other and to their 
friends and neighbors. The personal experience of each settler 
in the aggregate, forms a vast fund of useful knowledge. We 
may mtlulge in mutual congratulations, that our lots were cast 
in this Canaan of the Northwest, which we came to posses, and 
have successfully improved and enjoyed. 



There is no money in this club; but there is reputation. The 
place and date of the birth of every member, the time of his 
arrival in the territory and of his decease, are recorded in well 
bound volumes for preservation and reference. The records 
and proceedings of this club may be appreciated by after gener- 
ations, as evidence of the good deeds of its members individu- 
ally, and of the reputation of the first inhabitents of this county 
for industry and integrity. 

It is not expected, that this association is to tciminate with 
its present members. Provision is made in the constitution for 
the admission ot new members annually after a residence of 
thirty years in Milwaukee county; whereby there maybe a ^fv — 
tinued increase of members corresponding with the growth of 
population. Each successive generation of members having 
knowledge of events transpiring in their own days, should fol- 
low the example ef the present members, in recording their ex- 
perience, for the benefit of their successors. The State Histor- 
ical Society at Madison annually receives and publishes our 
printed addresses. In fact this club is auxiliary to that society. 

During the lives of the poineers it is eminently pioper, that 
the annual address of your President, should mainly consist of 
facts connected with the early settlement of this countiy. I shall 
therefore confine this address to transactions occurring prior to 
and during the territorial government of Wisconsin, even at the 
risk of relating common place matter, in the estimation of some, 
who do not appreciate the local history o( those times. The 
device of an Indian wigwam and a lof cabin on our badge sug 
gests a prominent portion of the following remarks. 

The American Indians have been a subject interesting to 
philanthropists since the first colonial settlements. Savage and 
untutored races of men, at all times have retired before the ap- 
proach of civilization and improvement. In the territory'o/ 
the northwest, wars have been succeeded by treaties of cession 
of Indian territory to the United States, by surveys by the gov- 
ernment of the ceded lands into sections and fractions of sec- 
tions, and by their settlement and improvement. Such followed 



5 

the Indian wars in S^ouihcrn Ohio and Southern Indiana. The 
like followed the war of 1812, with England, in Northern 
Ohio, Northern Indiana and Michigan. The like also succeded 
the Black Hawk war, in Northern Illinois and Southern Wis- 
consin The United States have not treated with the Indian 
tribes assoverignor independent nations, but rather as gtioai 
$^ wiirds of the government. The United States, by cession from 
tne State of Verginia, became the undisputed owner in fee of 
the northwestern territory subject to the unsettled claims of the 
Indians. The government as the soverign owner of the terri- 
tory formed peacful treaties with the Indian tribes, upon princi 
pies of humanity, providing for a consideration in money and 
means of subsistence. It was more becoming a great nation to 
remove the Indians by peaceful negotilions, than by military 
force. 

The Menominee tribe was peaceful and friendly, and in con- 
sideration in part of benefits received ofgovernment, they ceded 
to the United Stales the lands described in the following treaty. 

"The Menominee tribe of Indians in consideration of the 
kindness and protection of the government of the United State 
and for the purpose of securing to themselves and posterity a 
comfortable home, ceded and forever relinquished to the United, 
States all their ciamtry on the south-east side of AVinnebago 
Lake, Fox River and Green Bay, decribed in the following 
boundaries: Begining at the south end ot Winnebago Lake 
and running in a south-east direction to Milwakey ui/ Minna- ^ 
wakey River, thence down said river to its moulh, thence north 
along the shore of Lake Michigan to the entrance of Green 
Bay, thence up and along Greeen Bay, P'ox River and Winne- 
bago Lake to the place of beginning, excluding all private land 
claims, which the United States have heretofore confirmed and 
sanctioned — and also all the islands in Fox River and Green 
Bay are likewise ceded, the lands ceded comprising by estima- 
tion two millions five hundred thousand acres." 

This treaty and a cession from the Pottovvatamles and other 
tribes included the lands covered bv this ci:v. The mouth of 



tlic MiUaukec River was the extent of the Menominees lands 
on the south. The lands of the Pottowatimies, and other tribes 
extended from that point south and west The cession of the 
friepdly Menominees was made in 1831, the year before the 
Black Hawk war, the cession of the Poitowatamies and of the 
Sioux and Foxes, which tribes were warlike w^as made in 1833 
the year after tliat war. 

The very early settlement of Solomon Juneau and Gjorge H. 
Walker at Milwaukee, made this point a favorite place of 
Indian resort. They visited the tradmg tents of these gentlemen 
from all quarters. Indian trails stretching out in every direc- 
tion fiom this point were visible for years after the removal of 
the Indians. The trail between Milwaukee and Green Bay was 
the high road for travel, until the military road was opened in 
the year 1841, pursucnt to an act of Congress. The time re- 
quired for traveling between those points was four davs. Port 
Washington, Sheboygan Falls an d ]M mitowoc were the only in- 
termediate stopping place55. The postman traveled the trail on 
foot,delivcringthe mail at the terminus of his route on the fourth 
day. Returning from holding court in Green Bay, in October, 
1839. a beautiful indian summer day, between Sheboygan Falls 
and Milwaukee, I met the mail carrier on foot, who was the 
only white man observed on the trail that day, but numerous 
Indians enjoying their hunting season. 

The trail of the Indians under lilack Hawk, extending to- 
wards Bad Axe on the Mississippi river, was pointed out to me 
in the capitol grounds at Madison by Gov. Dodge, in December 
1838. The capitol covers that trail. The lands of the Men- 
ominee cession were very soon after the treaty, surve3ed and 
brought into market, but those Indians visited Milwaukee annu- 
ally for years, from their northern possession^, with marketing, 
such as game of all kinds, and wild berries of every description. 
They continued to hunt in the forests between Milwaukee and 
Gr2en Bay as late as 1841. Thclast dance of the Menominees 
in Milwaukee was in October, 1841, on a bluff in Jackson 
street. imme:li.it?lv south of Wisconsin street, 



.-A's late as i84o ffesh Indian graves were discovered at several, 
place's in Milwaukee. The lake bluff between ^licliigan and 
Huron Streets fifty feet above the level of the water, was their 
favorite place of intering their dead. They seemed inclined 
to bury their dead braves at a point overlooking the great lake. 
Patches of corn hills in several localities in and about Milwaukee 
remained distinct, until destroyed in process of improvement. 
Low loomy grounds easily cultivated with the hoe, were the 
points of agricultural operations of the squaws. Working was 
made the duty of the women. Hunting was die occupation of 
the men. The brave Indian is a much too self-important in- 
dividual to make use of any other instruments, than his rifle, 
tomahawk and scalping knife. It was remarkable the regularity 
in which the corn hills appeared. They were about of the same 
size and in straight rows crossing at right angles. 

Soon after the cession of these lands, they were surveyed into 
sections, as commenced by the government in Ohio, allotting 
the sixteenth section in each town for school purposes. A land 
office was established at Green Bay in 1834. The lands em- 
braced >vithin the boundaries of Milwaukee were purchased at 
that office, Solomon Juneau purchased the land situate on the 
east side of the Milwaukee river, Byron Kilbourne, on the west 
side of the river, and George H.Walker on the south side of the 
river. By an act of Congress approved June 15, 1836, the 
Green Bay land district was divided, and the IMilwaukee dis- 
trict established. The first sale of government lands, at Mil- 
waukee was in February, 1839. ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ lands in Mil- 
waukee and adjacent counties were partially settled upon. 
The settlers occupied their claims under rules adopted by them- 
selves for their mutual protection. Contracts of purchase and 
sale of claims under these rules were enforced by the courts. 
In this respect history repeated itself. In Pennsylvania and 
other states, improvement rights of first settlers were protected 
by the laws. 

The census taken in 1S40 was the first census of Wisconsin. 
It appears by the return of that census, filed in the office of the 



8 

court clerk of jMiUvaukee county, that the population of this 
county, including that part now Waukesha county, was five 
thousand ftve hundred and seventy-three. Of this number there 
were in what is now Waukesha county, two thousand one 
hundred and eighty-two persons — and in the present county of 
Milwaukee, three thousand three hundred and ninety-one. In 
the village of Milwaukee there were thirteen hundred and 
seventy-one persons, in the east ward of the village seven hund- 
red and ' seventy-eight, and in the west ward five-hundred and 
ninety-three. And in the towns of Milwaukee county there were 
two thousand and twenty. Of this population of five thousand 
five hundred and seventy-three, there were persons under five 
years of age nine hundred and ninety-nine, between five and 
ten years, six hundred and eighty-six; between ten and fifteen, 
lour hundred ani eighty-nine; between fifteen and twenty, four 
hundred and eighty-nine; between twenty and thirty, thirteen 
hundred and eighty-five; between thirty and forty eight hundred 
and eighty-one; between forty and fifty, three hundred and foity- 
cne; between fifly and sixty, one hundred and sixty-three; be- 
tween sixty and seventy, seventy-nine, between seventy anc 
eighty, fourteen, and between eighty and ninety, five; and forty- 
six free colored persons. That portion of the population, be- 
tween twenty and thirty years of age comprized one fourth of 
the whole number, and those between thirty and forty years ot 
age, were nearly one-sixth of the population, Those between 
twenty aiid forty years numbered thirty-two hundred and sixty- 
six, four hundred and eighty over one half of the whole popula- 
tion of the county. There werc about one third more males 
than females. This may be considered a fair representation of 
the population of the territory in the year 1840, except perhaps' 
the old military settlements at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. 
With few exceptions, persons over fifty years were not settlers 
from choice. Their children brought them. Newly married sons 
and daughters brought them. 

Milwaukee county was divided, and Waukesha county organ- 
ized pursuant to an act of the Legislature approved February 2 



1846. The city of Milwaukee was incorporated in January of 
the same year. As before stated, the population of the village of 

ilwaukee in 1840 was 1,371, and of Milwaukee county within 
its present boundaries, including the village, 3,391. In 1850. 
the population of the city of Milwaukee was 19,963, and of the 
county, nicluding the city, 31,077. In i860, the population 
of the city was 45, 140, and of ihe county, including the city, — 
62,518. In 1870 the population of the city was 71,440, and of 
the county including the city. 89,930. 

By th3 census returns of 1840 there were in Milwaukee 
county two weekly n2wspapers, one of a capital of twenty -five 
hundred dollars; and the other of sixteen hundred dollars, em- 
ploying four men in one, and three in the other. There were 
three grist mills and four saw mills in the county; and the 
amount of manufactures was 11,350 dollars, by eight men em-- 
ployed, and the capital invested was 12,800 dollars. The tolal 
capital invested in manufactures in the county, was $23,100. 

Tne proprietors of Milwaukee commenced platting their land 
into village lots, in the autumn of 1835, aud they completed th 
plats and filed them in the court clerk's office in 1837. In 1830 
speculation ran high, and town lots commanded enormou 
prices, even while there were no marks designating then- bound- 
aries, or the lines of the streets, but the surveyors pins. The 
small number of buildings erected in the years 1835, 1830 and 
1837, were mostly of wood, and very few exceeding one and a 
half stories. In 1836 the old frame Court House was built;front- 
ing the square dedicated to the county by the honest and large 
hearted first settler, Solomon Juneau, whose memory we ven- 
erate. The first brick block of stores, on the west side of East 
Water Street was erected in 1842. In 1847 there ^were not ex- 
ceeding six brick dwelling houses of any importance in the city. 
The natural surface of Milwaukee was [very broken and un- 
eaven. The bluff at the lake shore north of Huron street was 
fifty feet above the water, and increased in height as it extend- 
ed northward. The government lighthouse was first erected 
on this bluff, in the centre of Wisconsin street ' anJ was for a 



10 

time about the principal public institution in the village. 

From the blufls flowed springs of pure water, supplying the 
people; there not being wells, The bluffs were abrupt. A bluff 
extending from Broadway along Michigan street to the lake 
lerminatcd the high ground southward. The whole of the 
third ward south of that street was a duck pond. A bluff at the 
ciossingof Broadway and Wisconsin street was cut down twelve 
feet. In east water street near the city hall, there was a bluff 
much in the form of a mound, nearly twenty-live feet high. A 
bluff on the summit of Spring street was imoassable by teams 
for several years, West Water street existed mticly m name, 
being covered with water ior years, from north of Spring street 
southward to the Menomonee river, and up this river for two 
miles extended a wet marsh. One half of the fifth ward was 
a marsh. Not much work was done on the streets prior to tlie 
organization of the city government. The city authorities verv 
soon entered upon the grading process, and reduced the bluffs 
into inclined planes, and filled up the marshes. 

The Milwaukee and Rock river canal company was incorpor 
ated by the Territorial Legislature in 1838; and the same year 
Congress granted lands along the route of the contemplated im- 
provement to enable the companj to prosecute the building of a 
canal between Milwaukee and Rock river. A dam was construc- 
ted in the Milwaukee river in 1842. which by means of a canal 
created water power, to the essential benefit of the city. The can- 
al has not been extended further than the dam, and probably never 
will. 

In 1840 there was not a church edifice in Milwaukee. The 
Oongregationalists and Presbyterians, at first united in worship in 
a small vacant bulding on the west side of the river. In 1841 they 
occupied an ^'upper room" of a building on the corner of Sprinp; 
and AVest Water streets. In 1842 they divided and commenced 
building churches, the Oongregationalists on the west side of the 
river and the Presbyterians on the east side. The Episcopalians 
worshiped in the court room. The Methodists worshiped in a 
small building on the corner of East Water and Huron streets. 
St. Peters Catholic church was commenced in 1841 and finished 



11 



the next year. St. Paul's Episcopal Church was built in 1844. 
These churches have been enlarged to double their original 
size. A Methodist church on the corner of Spring and West 
Water Streets was erected about the year 1845. This church 
was burned, and from its ashes have arisen two beautiful church 
edifices, on Spring and Van Buren streets. The Catholic 
Cathedral was consecrated in 1853. In i85o the erection of 
Plymouth Church was commenced. 

In 1840 there were no means of passing to and from steam 
boats anchored in the Bay, but by hghters andbatteaux. In 1842 
a bridge pier was extended from the foot of Huron Street; 
which in a short time was followed by another. These piers 
have not been used since the harbor extension from the river in- 
to the Bay. The IMilwaukee river was crossed by means of two 
rope ferries, at the foot of Wisconsin and East Water Streets, 
mntil the erection of abridge in 1842, from Division to Chest- 
nut Streets. The construction of this bridge excited the local 
jealousy and prejudice of the residents of both sides of the river, 
which continued with much bitterness until the organization of 
the city government. At the present time, eleven bridges span 
the IMilwaukee river, and seven the Menominee, within the city 
limits, including two rail-road bridges. The rivers being navi- 
gable from the lake, navigators of vessels have a paramount 
right over land travel, hence the necessity of constructing the 
bridges with draws. 

The first German colony, in number about eight hundred 
men, women and children landed at Milwaukee late in the sum- 
mer of 1839. They brought the necessary housekeeping uten- 
sils, and encamped on the lake shore south of Huron street. 
They immediately commenced in a business way, to carry out 
their object in coming to this new country. They examined 
the government plats in the land office; and having ascertained 
by all the means in their power; where lands well timbered 
and. watered could be purchased, they entered lands bound- 
ing on the Milwaukee river and on the division line between 
Milwaukee and Washington counties. A smaU number of 



12 

\hx. colony remained in the village, but the nust cf ihem em- 
ployed themselves without delay, in cleaiing and cultivadng, 
their lands. Tho:5e pioneers formed the nucleus of the ^ery 
extensive, influential and wealthy German element of the popu- 
lation of this county and state. By their practical sense and. 
industrious habits they have largely contributed towards the- 
growth of this city, and the wealth and improvement of this- 
county and state. The german portion of our population are 
the proprietors and occupants of one half the terriiory of IMil- 
waukee city and count}. They are prompt tax payers. They 
perform the duties of good citizens, and they are faithful in the 
discharge C)f the duties of offices of public trust. The male 
mend^eis of the first colony, ^vithout delay, declared their in- 
tentions to become citizens of the United Slates, and in due 
time, they were naturalized in the territorial court, in Milwau- 
kee, every man to the number of seventy in one day, signed his 
name to his petition. The first German paper in this county 
was published in 1844 by Moritz Shoeffler, svho continues the. 
publication of the Banner and Volksfreund. 

In our j.rimitive days in this country, every log cabin by the 
way-side was a country tavern. Travellers rode up to a log. 
cabin with as much confidence of a cordial reception, as if they 
observed inscribed on the door "entertainment for man and 
horse.' The best the establishment afforded was soon made 
ready, by the host and hostess. Frequ<jntly by night-fall the 
cabin became crowded, when the e^uery, passed around 
where are these persons to sleep. Supper over, that cjueiy was 
readily answered. In the first place, the only visible sleeping. 
eslabli:jhnient was divided up, giving to each one a little, as far 
as it was capable of distribution. Ladies were depo^ite 1 in a. 
corner of the cabin loft, behind a temporary screen. To' 
each man a portion of the ground floor, or of the loft 
was assigned, with the privilege of selccung the softest plank. 
If a presumptuous person appeared to be one of the crowd, he- 
soon became the but, and had to submit to hard treatment, as a. 
creature without friends. The wives of ihe settlers pleasantly con- 



13 

versed of their paternal homes, their youthful comforts and happi- 
ness, their school days, and early associations, all which they 
surrendered for the love and affection of their husbands, whom 
thiy loved and aided in making for themselves and their child- 
dren habitations in the wilderness. They did their full share in 
improving this country. 

Prior to the day of railroads; the most travel from the East 
was on steamboats, which arrived almost daily from Buffalo, 
During the season of navigation, business in Milwaukee was 
satisfactory, and the population mpidly increased. After the 
close of navigation, times became dull. We had only a tri-weekly 
mail taking ten to twelve days in bringing mail matter from the 
East. The tediousness of the winter was in a great measure 
relieved by the social habits of the villagers. The ladies did 
their part in this respect Scarcely two families were connected, 
but the people favored mutual intimacy and friendship, and in- 
dulged in innocent amusements. Tea drinkings and danc- 
ing parties were generally observed throughout the win- 
ter. Class distinctions in society were ignored. There were not 
many public places of resort or amusement. Families in com- 
paratively comfortable circumstances were wont to dwell and 
receive their jovial visitors, in very small houses, very scantily 
furnished. If we had not realized the disposition and habits of 
the people in those days, we should wonder to hear of the 
readiness of the young wives, to enjoy life in their new homes, of 
discomfort. But they were equal to th2 emergencv, they were 
help-meets indeed. 

From the census returns of 1840, it appears, that families 
consisted of about five persons. 01 the population of the present 
Milwaukee county, there Were about sis hundred and seventy 
men. There are enrolled as members of this club one hundred 
and seven, who eettled in Milwaukee county before 1^4 0, about 
one sixth of those heads ol families. Three of our members 
are over eighty jears of age^ several are seventy and upwards. 
The vQungtst naember is thirty-four years 0/ age, v^ho with 
four others, are jM^tirc^ 0/ this couqtv. Omivting those five, 



14 

the average of the ages of the pioneer members is sixly-tlirce. 
Ten members have departed this life, the average of whose 
ages, was sixty-four. 

The pioneers of this county, were not of that class of men, 

''who [left their country for their country's good." In the 

prime and vigor of manhood, poor in purse, but rich in courage, 

industry, faith and enterprise, and moral principles, they bid 

adieu to their native homes, their friends, their associates, and 

their early associations, for this western wilderness. They made 

their pilgrimages westward in the usual modes of travel in 

those days. Seme travelled on steamboats, some on sail vessels 

some with horse teams, some with ox teams, and many on 

foot. They came to this Mestern land to possess and enjoy it 

and by the blessings of God they have witnessed its great im- 

provenient. From comparative poverty, they have become rich 

in all the blessing of life. They are blessed with peace and 

plenty, blessed m their homes and families, blessed as founders 

and builders up of this beautiful city, and great state, blessed with 

free schools and liberal laws. And many are favored with days 

of rejoicing, in the prosperity and happiness of their 

children and their children's children. 

''Praise God from whom all blessings flow." 




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